tattoos in the workplace

[wiseguy99]

Being in a nice environment and around people all the time dr's and other nurses, is it a good idea to have tattoos visible? I have tattoos but non that can be seen in uniform. Say that I being a male have a visible tattoo does that hinder how people in the medical profession look at you, or hinder weather or not you get a job? Then again if it did it may depend on the nature of the tattoo.

[BayMae10]

i have tats and piercings and i think it makes me no less of a good nurse and you know what it has never been an issue and sometimes pt's even comment on them and how nice there are, kinda a cool ice breaker to stickin in the IV...LOL

i think you still have to be tastefull but you can pull it off.....

[CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P]

I can remember, not too long ago when hospitals had a seperate protocol for care of people with tattoos...such as in ER/OR/OB...you were looked at as if you were a Hep or HIV carrier and treated different. I am sure some places are still like that. I did have a peer in nursing school that had a patient complain and request another nurse. So discrimination does exist .....too bad....but the human way. I say to each their own! Kinda like a male in OB, if they ask for another nurse, no big deal, move on, it shouldn't take away from that nurse.

We can't please em all..........Peaceout....................C

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I keep trying to hide my piercings, but Hubby bought me a lovely pair of diamond earrings, so there you are!

[Jill1215]

My husband has full arm tattoos. We live in the south and almost all of the older women look at him like he has horns sprouting from his head. When he is in his work clothes (shirt and tie) people look at him like he is the nicest guy in the world, but in a short sleeved shirt they look at him like he is a bum off the street. He is a meteorologist and works for the government, but some people here if they saw his arms would not even give him a chance. It is really pathetic.

[RedBait]

I can remember, not too long ago when hospitals had a seperate protocol for care of people with tattoos...such as in ER/OR/OB...you were looked at as if you were a Hep or HIV carrier and treated different. I am sure some places are still like that. I did have a peer in nursing school that had a patient complain and request another nurse. So discrimination does exist .....too bad....but the human way. I say to each their own! Kinda like a male in OB, if they ask for another nurse, no big deal, move on, it shouldn't take away from that nurse.

We can't please em all..........Peaceout....................C

The protocol you refer to is the Tattoos:Teeth Ratio. If the patient has more tattoos than teeth...well, you get where this is going LOL.

BTW I have several large area tattoos and I am a 60 Y/O grandmother originally from the Midwest. For the most part, they are not visible in scrubs, except a small rim below one sleeve and a tiny bit at my neckline. My colleagues are aware, but my patients and their families rarely notice. I guess in the ICU setting, people are plenty preoccupied with the crisis of the moment.

One thing I've noticed is that the difference between people with tattoos and people without tattoos is that people with tattoos don't mind if you don't have a tattoo!

[realmean1]

I have found that most people don't mind the tats, if you are a "good" nurse. That is regardless of age. Been there, etc, etc. Guess next will be "Nurses who smoke" :chuckle

[nightingale, RN]

In our small rural hospital, it is outlined in the Orientation Packet, that tatoos are to be covered. I see bandaides in some odd places these days.

Wish I had one! I just have not gotton around to getting one.

[1BlessedRN]

I wouldn't go as far as saying someone was unprofessional, usually it depends on where you work the protocol is to cover the tattoo. I have a small rose on my leg, it's not visible...I have taken my son to the ER and had a man that I thought was patient but was a doctor treat my son, this guy looked like Hulk Hogan (big, built, a long bleach-blonde ponytail, and a cross earring hanging out of one ear) LOL we quickly overcame our shock:eek: (hubby, son, and I) the doctor was WONDERFUL!

It goes to show appearance is first impression that will last forever.

[Blackcat99]

I am in my 50's and have worked a lot in corrections. Many many inmates have lots of tattoos. When I see any man or woman with lots of tattoos I tend to think

"Hmm I wonder if this person is an ex-inmate?" If I see a young person with just one small tattoo then I usually don't think they are an ex-inmate. I personally don't like tattoos. If I was in charge of hiring(I'm not) I think I would have the tendency to hire the nurses who did not have tattoos.

[bpowers]

I think visability is the key issue here, do you think it's professional for a doctor or nurse to have an eyebrow or lip pierced? I have seen those large black ear hole expanders too, and in my opinion, they just don't look professional.

[finness]

well, i kina like 'em! but then, i believe true professionalism is rooted in the ability of the nurse to practice with compassion and respect for the uniqueness of every individual. besides, "taste" is a hard thing to regulate.